Can Our Politicians Emulate Mallam Aminu Kano

Can Our Politicians Emulate Mallam Aminu Kano?

Babandi Gumel

Politicians, dignitaries and other important personalities from all walks of life converged in Kano to mark the 25^th Anniversary of the demise of a seasoned transparent honest principled politician who practiced what he preached in the name of the Late Malam Aminu Kano of the Blessed Memory. They all got together to extol and shower praises on the late politician for his sterling qualities which were very difficult to emulate by our present day politicians. One of the few reasons why it is difficult for our so called followers of Aminu Kano to emulate him was he was like an ascetic who did not bother much with acquiring unnecessary material wealth while our present politicians are unfortunately materially minded. Every one of us knew Malam and we all knew the politicians who were with Malam right from the time the PRP was formed and the day when some of them deserted Malam and formed another faction commonly known as progressive or Santsi thus causing division in the Party Santsi and Tabo. The Tabo members at that time were said to have tried to cling to the teachings of the Late Malam while the Santsi progressive members thought Malam’s ideas as outdated not in line with the so called progressive elements of the party making them turning their backs against their late mentor.

As broadcaster and journalist I had the opportunity to interact with Malam and his associates at the time. When the PRP divided into two factions I lost interest in supporting any of the faction therefore I remained neutral. Each of the faction both the Tabo and Santsi thought I was with them but I was with neither of the two. I remember there was a time when the late Malam came here to London and I tried to speak to him on telephone and he refused to talk to me believing that I belonged to the Santsi faction of the PRP if not for the intervention of our Late colleague in the BBC Hausa Service Late Yunusa Dayyabu Ibrahim who explained to Malam that “I am now dedicated to the practice of Deen” rather than engaging in politics.

It is now all history so both the Santsi and the Tabo members of the PRP were united in extolling the praises of this late Politician who was the best shining example of honesty sincerity of purpose dedication and above all transparency which unfortunately most of our politicians are lacking. Late Aminu Kano was sincere in his struggle to emancipate the common masses and he suffered a lot in this course while our politicians do not want suffer even prick of the thorn. The Late Malam as stated earlier was never interested in acquiring material wealth or living life of luxury unlike our so called politicians of today who claim to be followers of Malam Aminu Kano. He set best example for all those sincere dedicated willing persons who are ready to sacrifice for a course worthy of emulation. Few politicians still try to cling to these ideas but majority of the so called followers are unfortunately there to amass wealth and become millionaires overnight and not to work for the benefit of their people contrary to the teachings and principles of Late Aminu Kano.

All they are interested is to fill their pockets with dollars and pounds bragging going from country to country acquiring and a times embezzling millions of Naira leading to their prosecution thus bringing shame to themselves and the Country which is very unfortunate. So this is why the Late Aminu Kano left a vacuum which is very difficult to fill due to some dubious intention. The intention of the late Malam Aminu Kano as everyone could see was to work for the progress of our people while majority of our politicians of today unfortunately have different attitude and the intention is rather negative . Their intention is purely to acquire power and material wealth as we can judge and see from the behaviour and utterances of such politicians which is so unfortunate.

It is difficult to emulate the qualities of the Late Aminu Kano who left a legacy for all young and old men and women Muslims and Non-Muslims making everyone proud of the late principled, transparent honest politician who lived and practiced what he preached. Organising lectures and symposia would benefit the society in one way or the other but is not enough. Even though we are not trying to be too critical but living the principles which the Late Aminu Kano preached lived and died should be emulated in practice rather than in theory as he practically demonstrated for all to see a living legacy worthy of emulation for all our future generations and the politicians in particular who are trying to maintain that legacy. As the Hadith says Actions are judged according to intention and Allah will not change the condition of people until they change what is in their hearts therefore it is necessary to make sincere intention to serve our people a better legacy left by Late Malam Aminu Kano rather than our own selfish vested interest.